The National Renewable Energy Laboratory - NREL - is the only federal laboratory dedicated to the research, development, commercialization and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
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Postdoctoral Researcher - Nanostructured Sensitized Solar Cells
2197BR
Golden, CO
Postdoctoral Researcher
40
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research, development and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. NREL's Chemical & Materials Science Center has an immediate opening for a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher for a position that will involve the fabrication and characterization of sensitized nanoporous nanostructured semiconductor thin films and the associated solar cells and investigating possible factors limiting solar cell efficiency and stability. The initial appointment is for one year with possible renewal for a second and third year, depending on funding and performance. (Candidates with four or more years of experience will be considered for this position at a Research Associate level.)
The research activities of this group are aimed at developing high-efficiency and stable sensitized liquid-junction and solid-state nanostructured solar cells based on nanoporous photosystems. Sensitizers include molecular dyes and quantum-scaled semiconductors. This position involves research in designing, fabricating, and characterizing sensitized nanoporous nanostructured semiconductor thin films and the associated solar cells and investigating possible factors limiting solar cell efficiency and stability. In addition to the applied work, the researcher is expected to contribute to parallel research aimed at establishing a basic understanding of charge transport and interfacial phenomena governing the cell performance. The specific duties include: • Design/fabricate/characterize nanostructured photoelectrode materials and charge-conducting phases for advanced sensitized solar cells. • Assemble devices and evaluate their photovoltaic and stability properties. • Assess the material/architecture/charge-conducting phase–device property relations. • Identify the most promising cell materials and configurations in collaboration with others. • Contribute to the write-up of reports, scientific journal articles, and proposals. Attend conferences, seminars, and symposia to present research results.
Must be a recent PhD graduate within the last three years.
Doctorate degree in chemistry, materials science, engineering, or other closely related fields and expertise in nanoporous thin film synthesis and solar cell characterization techniques. Strong scientific writing skills demonstrated by experience in writing quality scientific papers. Good oral communications skills in English and the ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a research team. The candidate will be required to work closely with the Environmental, Health and Safety team, to follow safe work procedures, to handle waste properly, and to keep a clean, and well-organized work environment. The successful candidate is also expected to support the larger group effort to explore and develop new solar energy capture and utilization concepts in sensitized solar cells.
Relevant work experience with sensitized solar cells, preparing nanoporous metal oxide thin films using sol gel or electrochemical methods, and solar cell fabrication and characterization. Other helpful skills would include thin film deposition (e.g., sputtering), chemical synthesis and purification, handling of air sensitive materials, and other characterization techniques of nanostructured materials (SEM, TEM, XRD, BET, etc.). Candidate should address applicable research experience in the various areas.
NREL is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. NREL promotes a work environment that does not discriminate against workers or job applicants and prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, marital status, ancestry, actual or perceived sexual orientation, or veteran status, including special disabled veterans.
NREL validates right to work using E-Verify. NREL will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For additional information, please see www.nrel.gov/employment/eeo.html.
